JTF arrests nine minors for ‘cultism’ in Delta

The Joint Task Force (Operation Pulo Shield) yesterday paraded nine minors suspected to be members of four cult groups.

Commanding Officer, Koko Barracks, Lt-Col Frank Etim described the quartet as informants collaborating with kidnappers, robbers and assassins in Sapele Town, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State.

The minors, according to Etim, are aged between 10 and 16 years.

He said they confessed to being initiated into cult groups –“Eye”, “Blue Sparrow”, “Cage Bird” and “Dan Sailor”, by their seniors.

Lt-Col Etim said the minors swore never to divulge the names and addresses of their leaders to security officials.

He urged parents to watch their wards in order not to allow other people influence them negatively, warning that secret cult members and kidnappers will henceforth not have any hiding place in the area.

Lt Col Etim said the minors confessed to being initiated with a red liquid drink after being severely beaten with canes for hours.

They also confessed to marks of identification marks on their backs and upper alms, as mark of initiation.

The minors said their duties were to act as spies at various locations for their leaders, and deliver reports to aid kidnapping, robbery and assassination.

The suspects listed the seniority of the groups in descending order as Eye (most senior) , Blue Sparrow, Cage Bird, and Dan Sailor.

Lt-Col Etim said: “On May 13, our personnel at Sapele arrested nine members of the Cage Bird, Blue Sparrow, and Dansailor cult groups during their activities in a remote area of Sapele and Elume communities in Sapele LGA of Delta State.

“The suspects all of whom are minors have all confessed to the crime.

“This crime involving minors reinforces the need for parents to watch over their wards in order not to allow other persons influence them negatively.”